Feather issues - different in each of my 3 hens!

[jschaber]

One hen has a bald neck and another has a back of broken feathers - what is going on and are these issues related?

I have 3 hens that are just over 1 year old. They act normal and are eating everything as usual.

About 2 months ago my black australorp hen began missing feathers on her neck (only). The rest of her feathers look fine. I didn't notice pecking behavior from the other two (unless it's at night in the coop.) She is slowing growing them back but now the other hens like to pick out the new feathers - probably because they stand out black on her white skin. This started in the early spring when it's still really cold here (7,000 feet in the mountains), so I thought it was a weird time for moulting. The other 2 hens didn't show signs of moulting at all.

Then one month ago, my wyandotte hen began having rough-looking feathers on her back. They aren't missing, just broken at the tips and fuzzy. I immediately thought it was parasites, but can't find evidence of them anywhere. I don't have a rooster. She also developed a small bald patch on the back of her head but no missing feathers anywhere else.

My rhode island red hen also developed a small patch on her head at the same time , but the rest of her feathers look normal and none are missing.

Am I dealing with multiple problems? I keep a clean coop and spend time with my chickens. I added more protein and yogurt to their diet and give them greens and corn late in the day. I want my beautiful chickens back!

 

[StephieSky]

Depluming Mite
Neocnemidocoptes gallinae burrow into the epidermis at the base of feather shafts and cause intense irritation and feather pulling and loss in chickens, pheasants, pigeons, and geese in spring and summer. Hyperkeratosis, skin lesions, and digit necrosis can result from the burrowing. Affected birds should be isolated and treated with iver-mectin, malathion or sevin dust.

The above is from the Merck Veterinary Manual - Mites of Poultry:

Have you tried treating them for mites? They have missing feathers in hard to reach places but grooming can become a shared obsession when a bird is constantly reminded of the need by an irritation from parasites.

 

[jschaber]

Thank you! I couldn't see any mites but I do suspect they are there. The symptoms sound right. I will treat them right away and hope for the best. I didn't know if it was mites or lice or what I am doing wrong that this would happen. It stresses me as much as them I think.